Re: [Histonet] ASCP Exam

From:

"Joe Nocito"

It is Friday!!!!!
Jennifer,
I must respectfully disagree with you. I have two techs that obtained tissue
from the same autopsy, processed, embedded, stained and coverslipped said
tissue at the same time. I reviewed the slides as did my medical director.
The techs were getting mad at me because I kept kicking slides back for one
reason or another. One passed the practical, one didn't. I still don't
understand how that happened. In essence, who ever graded those slides said
that my pathologist and I didn't know what we were doing.
Now, on the other hand, all prospective employees that apply at my lab
sit down and cut a few blocks to demonstrate that they know how to handle a
microtome.
Book knowledge is one thing, but you have to agree in the histo lab,
skill is very important. Just my 3 cents.
Joe "let the flaming begin, again"
BS, PA, HT(ASCP)QIHC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jennifer MacDonald"
To: "Larry Woody"
Cc: ;
; "Chen, Leslie"
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 7:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Histonet] ASCP Exam
> Lack of a practical has nothing to do with mandatory certification. The
> practical was a component of the HT/HTL (ASCP) certification exam. Passing
> of the exam gives the applicant national certification with the ASCP.
> Mandating certification may very well be dictated by pathologists, but it
> has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the practical aspect of the HT/HTL exam
> being discontinued.
> It is interesting to note that no other laboratory science certification
> requires a practical. Does that make those certified applicants any less
> competent?
> Expense was not the only criteria that was used to make the decision to
> discontinue the practical. There were many factors. With HIIPA
> regulations obtaining the tissue was also becoming difficult for
> applicants. Some applicants have access to fully automated labs, while
> others don't. Some out there are unethical and don't do any of the work
> themselves. What makes it a fair and valid exam. At least with the
> "written" portion applicants must show knowledge of the principles and
> procedures and the ability to recognize problems and to troubleshoot them.
>
> Sending the slides to the graders is not an option. The ASCP had a very
> sophisticated grading system to ensure anonymity to each applicant and to
> ensure that the grading was equitable. Sending out slides to graders
> would have compromised a fair system. You also open up the possibility of
> breakage and lost slides/blocks.
> There is no method of examination that will please everyone. The ASCP,
> who had feedback from many people in the histology field, made the
> decision that they felt would be fair to MOST applicants.
> The ability to cut good sections does not make one a good histotech, just
> a good microtomist. Just as the ability to pass the computer portion of
> the exam does not make one a good histotech, but the odds are better for a
> well rounded employee. One needs to understand and interpret the stains
> they are performing, not just load them on the Stainer.
> Just my opinion,
> Jennifer MacDonald
>
>
>
>
> Larry Woody
> 01/31/2007 02:04 PM
>
> To
> Jennifer MacDonald , "Chen, Leslie"
>
> cc
> "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'" ,
> histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject
> Re: [Histonet] ASCP Exam
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hate to say it but I think Pathologists have a lot to do with why there
> isn't mandatory certification for HT and HTL.
>
> Jennifer MacDonald wrote:
> The practical will only apply to those that did not pass prior to 2007.
> Anyone that applies for 2007 and beyond does not do the practical.
> The instructions state do not download the practical instructions unless
> told to do so by the ASCP
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Chen, Leslie"
> Sent by: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> 01/31/2007 11:42 AM
>
> To
> "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"
> cc
>
> Subject
> [Histonet] ASCP Exam
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm sorry, I'm confused about the conversations regarding the practical
> portion of the exam. Are you saying that the practical part is no longer
> required for HT or HTL cert for ASCP? According to their website, the
> practical is still required. There are practical instructions:
> https://www.ascp.org/Certification/CertifyingExaminations/cert_procedures/el
>
>
> igibility/htl.aspx
> Thanks.
>
> Leslie
>
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